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653
(Enter LAMPADISCUS.)
LAMPADISCUS
I do believe I never saw a more tormenting old nag than this is. What she just now confessed to me, is she to be denying it?
But look, I see my mistress. Why
(seeing the casket on the ground), how’s this, that this casket is lying here with these trinkets, and that I see no other person in the street? I must act the child’s part
1
; I’ll stoop to pick up the casket.
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(Picks it up.)
I do believe I never saw a more tormenting old nag than this is. What she just now confessed to me, is she to be denying it?
But look, I see my mistress. Why
(seeing the casket on the ground), how’s this, that this casket is lying here with these trinkets, and that I see no other person in the street? I must act the child’s part
1
; I’ll stoop to pick up the casket.
655
PHANOSTRATA
(from her house.)
What are you about, Lampadio?
What are you about, Lampadio?
LAMPADISCUS
(giving the casket to PHANOSTRATA.)
Is this casket from out of our house here, I wonder. For I picked it up, lying here near the door.
Is this casket from out of our house here, I wonder. For I picked it up, lying here near the door.
PHANOSTRATA
What news do you bring about the old woman?
What news do you bring about the old woman?
LAMPADISCUS
That there’s not one other on earth more wicked. She denies all those things which she just now confessed to me. But, i’ faith, for me to allow that old jade to be laughing at me, it’s preferable for me to die by any kind of death.
That there’s not one other on earth more wicked. She denies all those things which she just now confessed to me. But, i’ faith, for me to allow that old jade to be laughing at me, it’s preferable for me to die by any kind of death.
PHANOSTRATA
Ye Gods, I do adjure you by our trust in you!
(Opening the casket.)
Ye Gods, I do adjure you by our trust in you!
LAMPADISCUS
Why do you call upon the Gods?
Why do you call upon the Gods?
PHANOSTRATA
Save us!
Save us!
LAMPADISCUS
What’s the matter?
What’s the matter?
PHANOSTRATA
These are the trinkets with which you exposed my little daughter to death.
These are the trinkets with which you exposed my little daughter to death.
LAMPADISCUS
Are you in your senses?
Are you in your senses?
PHANOSTRATA
These certainly are.
These certainly are.
LAMPADISCUS
Do you persist?
Do you persist?
PHANOSTRATA
These are they.
These are they.
LAMPADISCUS
If any other woman were to speak to me after that fashion, I should say she was drunk.
If any other woman were to speak to me after that fashion, I should say she was drunk.
PHANOSTRATA
By heaven! I’m talking no nonsense.
But prithee, whence in the world did these come, or what Deity placed this before our door? As though
for a given purpose, at the very instant
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sacred Hope comes to my aid?
By heaven! I’m talking no nonsense.
But prithee, whence in the world did these come, or what Deity placed this before our door? As though
for a given purpose, at the very instant
670
sacred Hope comes to my aid?
Cistellaria. Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley (Translator). London. 1913.
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